Iraqi Parliament Holds 26th Session to Complete Cabinet Amid Opposition to New Position

Iraq’s Council of Representatives convened its 26th session on Thursday, chaired by Heibet Al-Halbousi and attended by 261 lawmakers, to complete the government cabinet and vote on nominees for the positions of deputy prime ministers.

Separately, a group of lawmakers announced their opposition to creating new deputy prime minister positions or establishing ministries they described as products of political quota-sharing, arguing that public spending must be rationalized amid the government’s financial responsibilities.

During a press conference held inside parliament and attended by lawmakers from various political blocs, MP Haider Al-Mutairi said Iraq’s public resources should not serve the interests of political blocs. He also declared that the opposing lawmakers would not vote in favor of creating deputy prime minister positions.

The voting session on completing the cabinet, appointing deputy prime ministers, and approving newly established ministries had been scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, amid continued disagreement over the need for additional government positions and institutions.